Method and system for multi-tiered data access

ABSTRACT

A system and method include receiving a telephone number corresponding to a unique pair of first and second parameters in which the first parameter corresponds to a device having a plurality of ports and the second parameter corresponds to one of the ports of the device. A storage includes units respectively corresponding to different first parameters with each unit respectively having a physical location in the storage. Each unit has members respectively corresponding to different second parameters with each of the second parameters respectively corresponding to a member of each unit. The parameters are determined using the telephone number. A physical location in storage of a unit corresponding to the first parameter is determined. The member corresponding to the second parameter of the unit which corresponds to the first parameter is then identified.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/227,053, filed Sep. 15, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to multi-tiered data access.

2. Background Art

As the volume of stored data increases, conventional (i.e., singletiered) data systems become increasingly inefficient. Some conventionaldata systems attempt to address the inefficiencies by optimizing thesystem for either data storage or data retrieval. For example,conventional data systems may maintain a large index corresponding tothe stored data. Such indexing may provide improved data retrievalspeeds but generally decreases the speed of data loading (i.e., theaddition of new data, data storage) and consumes system resources.Conversely, conventional data systems using minimal data indexinggenerally provide improved data loading speeds but decreased dataretrieval speeds. Such data retrieval/data loading tradeoffs may beproblematic in systems where real time applications, such as InternetWEB applications, require the ability to rapidly retrieve data whilesystem data is being updated and/or loaded.

In addition, data corruption in conventional data systems may propagaterapidly, causing data loss and requiring reinstallation of a largequantity of data from a backup. The reinstallation process may furthersubject the system to an additional risk of data loss.

Conventional data systems may also require extensive modification to addadditional forms of data, especially forms of data having a format thatdiffers from the data formats previously stored by the data system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure, both as to its organization and manner ofoperation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may bebest. understood with reference to the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanied drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for multi-tiered data accessaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for multi-tiered data accessaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally provides a system, method and computerreadable medium for multi-tiered data access. One embodiment of thepresent disclosure may provide increased data storage and/or dataretrieval rates. Another embodiment may impede data corruptionpropagation such that data loss and/or reinstallation of data from abackup may be reduced. Another embodiment may provide increased dataretrieval rates while reducing the data storage requirement of a system.Yet another embodiment may provide increased data storage and/orretrieval efficiency in multi-processor machines. Still yet anotherembodiment may reduce the amount of modification required to addadditional forms of data to the system. It should be understood thatother embodiments of the disclosure may provide yet additional and/oralternative benefits.

The present disclosure discloses an embodiment of a method whichincludes receiving a telephone number (i.e., an identifier)corresponding to a unique pair of first and second parameters. The firstparameter corresponds to a device (e.g., a switch) having a plurality ofports and the second parameter corresponds to one of the ports of thedevice. The method further includes determining the parameters using thetelephone number and then determining a physical location in storage ofa unit corresponding to the first parameter. The storage includes unitsrespectively corresponding to different first parameters with each unitrespectively having a physical location in the storage. Each unit hasmembers respectively corresponding to different second parameters witheach of the second parameters respectively corresponding to a member ofeach unit. The method further includes identifying the membercorresponding to the second parameter of the unit which corresponds tothe first parameter.

The present disclosure discloses an embodiment of a system whichincludes a storage, a logical mapping apparatus, and a physical mappingapparatus. The storage includes units respectively corresponding todifferent first parameters with each unit respectively having a physicallocation in the storage. Each unit has members respectivelycorresponding to different second parameters with each of the secondparameters respectively corresponding to a member of each unit. Thefirst parameters respectively correspond to devices each having aplurality of ports and the second parameters respectively correspond tothe ports. The logical mapping apparatus determines a pair of first andsecond parameters which uniquely correspond to a telephone number. Thephysical mapping apparatus receives the parameters from the logicalmapping apparatus, determines a physical location in the storage of aunit corresponding to the first parameter, and identifies the membercorresponding to the second parameter of the unit which corresponds tothe first parameter.

It is to be understood that the previous and subsequently disclosedembodiments are merely exemplary. The figures are not necessarily toscale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show detailsof particular components. Therefore, specific functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentdisclosure. In the figures and in the discussion that follows, likereference numbers indicate like elements.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 for multi-tiered data access accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. System 100 maycomprise an operator interface (i.e., operator interface device) 102, alogical mapping apparatus 104, a physical mapping apparatus 106 and aphysical data storage device 108.

Operator interface 102 may be any appropriate interface device, such asa keyboard, a touchscreen, a mouse, a display, a voice recognitiondevice, a light pen, a speaker and the like, for electronically couplingto the logical mapping apparatus 104, transmitting an operator initiatedcommand (i.e., operator command) (e.g., a data request) to logicalmapping apparatus 104 and/or conveying information (e.g., data) to anoperator.

Logical mapping apparatus 104 may be electronically coupled to operatorinterface 102 for receiving the operator command. In at least oneembodiment, logical mapping apparatus 104 may be a computer or otherlogical device, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit,which executes software application programs and/or which performs otherlogical exercises. However, logical mapping apparatus 104 may includeany type of unit or entity which can determine one or more searchparameters (e.g., first search parameter, second search parameter, etc.)corresponding to the operator command.

In one embodiment, logical mapping apparatus 104 may use a table 130 fordetermining a search parameter corresponding to the operator command.Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, table 130 may reside in amemory 120, such as a solid state memory, a read-only memory, a randomaccess memory, an EPROM, an EEPROM and the like, and/or a database 124electronically coupled to logical mapping apparatus 104. Optionally,logical mapping apparatus 104 may use a hash function (not shown) fordetermining a search parameter. However, logical mapping apparatus 104may use any appropriate algorithm and/or look-up device to determine theone or more search parameters corresponding to the operator command.

Logical mapping apparatus 104 is generally electronically coupled tophysical mapping apparatus 106 and presents the one or more searchparameters to physical mapping apparatus 106.

Physical mapping apparatus 106 may be electronically coupled to one ormore physical data storage devices 108, such as a magnetic media, anoptical media, a hard drive, a memory device, and/or the like. Each ofdata storage devices 108 may comprise one or more physical and/orlogical data units 150, such as a file, a table, and the like. Each dataunit 150 generally corresponds to a set of related data (i.e., a dataset), such as data corresponding to a business group, a network, adevice, and the like.

Similarly, each data unit 150 may comprise one or more data members 160.Each data member 160 generally corresponds to a related sub-set of thedata unit 150, such as data corresponding to an individual departmentwithin a business group, an individual network device, an individualdevice user, and the like. In at least one embodiment, a data member 160may represent the smallest sub-set of data that may be retrieved inresponse to the operator command. However, implementation havingadditional levels (i.e., tiers) is contemplated within the spirit andscope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, additional sub-groupings(not shown) of data within a data member 160 are contemplated by thepresent disclosure.

Physical mapping apparatus 106 is generally a computer or other logicaldevice, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit, whichexecutes software application programs and/or which performs otherlogical exercises. In at least one embodiment, the functionality ofphysical mapping apparatus 106 may be implemented in the same device aslogical mapping apparatus 104.

In particular, physical mapping apparatus 106 generally receives the oneor more search parameters from logical mapping apparatus 104 anddetermines a physical location of a data unit 150 corresponding to afirst search parameter. In at least one embodiment, the first searchparameter may represent (i. e., correspond to) a device such as anAsymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, an Asynchronous Transfer ModeSwitch, a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer, etc. and thecorresponding data unit 150 may include data relating to the physicaldevice.

In general, the physical location may be any appropriate address (i.e.,location) on any appropriate storage device 108, such as a location on amagnetic media, a location on an optical media, a location on a harddrive, a memory address, and the like. In at least one embodiment, thefirst search parameter may resolve (i.e., map) directly into the addressof data unit 150. For example, the first parameter may form all or partof a file name that resolves into the address of a data unit 150 storedon a storage device 108 via a file directory. Similarly, in anotherembodiment, the first parameter may form all or part of the name of atable stored in memory.

Physical mapping apparatus 106 may also identify a data member 160(i.e., a data member 160 of data unit 150 corresponding to the firstsearch parameter) corresponding to the second search parameter. In oneembodiment, the second search parameter may represent (i. e., correspondto) a port on a device such as an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, anAsynchronous Transfer Mode Switch, a Digital Subscriber Line AccessMultiplexer, etc. and the corresponding data member 160 may include datarelating to an object coupled to the port. In addition, at least oneembodiment may include one or more data member 160 stored in acompressed state (i.e., compressed data object) and/or as a Binary LargeObject (i.e., BLOG).

Physical mapping apparatus 106 may output data member 160 to theoperator. In at least one embodiment, physical mapping apparatus 106 mayoutput data member 160 to the operator using operator interface 102.

Referring to FIG. 2, a flow diagram of a method 200 for multi-tiereddata access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure isshown. Method 200 may be advantageously implemented in connection withany appropriate system to meet the design criteria of a particularapplication, such as system 100 described previously in connection withFIG. 1. In particular all or parts of method 200 may be performed by oneor more logical devices, such as logical mapping apparatus 104 and/orphysical mapping apparatus 106. Method 200 generally includes aplurality of blocks or steps that may be performed serially. As will beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the order of theblock/steps shown in FIG. 2 is exemplary and the order of one or moreblock/steps may be modified within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. In addition, the blocks/steps of method 200 may be performedin at least one non-serial (or non-sequential) order, and one or moreblocks/steps may be omitted to meet the design criteria of a particularapplication. Similarly, two or more of the blocks/steps of method 200may be performed in parallel. Block 202 represents an entry point intomethod 200.

Decision block 204 generally determines when a new data unit (e.g., dataunit 150) is required. In general, the addition of a new data unit isrequired to expand the system (e.g., system 100) to include data notrepresented by an existing data unit. For example, in one embodiment,each data unit may correspond to an element of a network (not shown).When a new device (i.e., element) is added to the network, a new dataunit is generally required to represent data associated with the newdevice. Method 200 generally proceeds to step 206 when a new data unitis required (i.e., the YES leg of decision block 204). Otherwise, method200 may fall through to step 212 (i.e. the NO leg of decision block204).

At step 206, a new data unit may be generated.

At step 208, a unique identifier may be generated. In at least oneembodiment, such as the exemplary embodiment described in connectionwith decision block 204, the unique identifier may correspond to thename of a new device.

At step 210, the unique identifier may be mapped to the new data unit.From step 210, method 200 may return to decision block 204.

Decision block 212 generally determines when an operator initiatedcommand (i.e., operator command) has been received. Method 200 mayproceed to step 214 when an operator command is received (i.e., the YESleg of decision block 212). Otherwise, method 200 generally return todecision block 204 (i. e. the NO leg of decision block 212).

At step 214, a first search parameter may be determined based at leastin part on the operator initiated command.

At step 216, a second search parameter may be determined based at leastin part on the operator initiated command.

At step 218, a physical location of a data unit corresponding to thefirst search parameter may be determined.

At step 220, a data member (e.g., data member 160) corresponding to thesecond search parameter may be identified. In general, the data membercorresponds to a sub-set of data within a corresponding data unit (e.g.,data unit 150).

At step 222, the data member may be outputted to any appropriate devicesuch as an operator interface device (e.g., 102). From step 222, method200 may return to decision block 204.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure is illustrated. The exemplary embodiment of FIG.3 is provided to further instruct one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood thatthe exemplary embodiment is non-limiting and many other embodimentswithin the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are contemplatedby the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiment is generallyprovided in the context of a Digital Subscriber Line (i.e., DSL) system300. System 300 may be implemented similarly to system 100 of FIG. 1 andmay implement one or more steps of method 200 previously described inconnection with FIG. 2.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, DSL system (i.e., network) 300 isillustrated as having ten thousand DSL Access Multiplexers (i.e.,DSLAMs) with each DSLAM coupling four hundred DSL subscribers (i.e.,users) to DSL system 300 via four hundred corresponding ports. System300 is further illustrated as storing three thousand data points (i.e.,data values) for each subscriber. While particular quantities of DSLAMs,subscribers, ports, and data points are provided for clarity, it shouldbe understood that system 300 may be implemented using any appropriatenumber of DSLAMs coupled to any appropriate number of subscribers viaany appropriate number of ports and recording any appropriate number ofdata points to satisfy the requirements of a particular application.

When a user (i.e., subscriber) seeks technical support, the usergenerally provides a technical support person (i.e., system operator)with a user identifier, such as a DSL telephone number corresponding tothe user. For purposes of illustration, the user identifier may be555-555-0002. The system operator may then generate an operator command(i.e., signal, operator initiated command, etc.) corresponding to theuser identifier via operator interface 102. The operator command isgenerally presented by operator interface 102 to logical mappingapparatus 104.

Logical mapping apparatus 104 may receive the operator command and maydetermine a first search parameter and a second search parametercorresponding to the operator command. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 3, logical mapping apparatus 104 may determine the first and secondsearch parameters using a table 130 in electronic communication withlogical mapping apparatus 104. However, as previously discussed inconnection with system 100, the search parameters may be determinedusing any appropriate process (e.g., an algorithm, a hash function, adatabase, an index file, etc.) to meet the design criteria of aparticular application. By referencing the user identifier (i.e.,555-555-0002) to table 130, the first search parameter may be determinedby logical mapping apparatus 104 to correspond to the switch (e.g.,DSLAM2) coupling the user to DSL system 300. Similarly, the secondsearch parameter may be determined by logical mapping apparatus 104 tocorrespond to the port coupling the user to the switch (e.g., port 3).The logical mapping apparatus may then present the first and secondsearch parameters to physical mapping apparatus 106.

Optionally, logical mapping apparatus 104 may further generate a newdata unit 150, generate a unique identifier for the new data unit (i.e.,previously unidentified data unit) 150, and/or map the unique identifierto new data unit 150 in response to a new DSLAM being added to system300.

Physical mapping apparatus 106 generally receives the first and secondsearch parameters (e.g., DSLAM2 and port 3) and determines a physicallocation of a data unit 150 corresponding to the first search parameter.In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, physical mapping apparatus 106locates a table corresponding to the first search parameter on physicaldevice 108 using any appropriate mapping technique such as a filedirectory. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, system efficiencymay be increased by implementing data units 150 having names (i.e.,identifiers) that utilize all or part of the first search parameter(e.g., first search parameter=“DSLAM2” and the data unitname=“USER_DSLAM2”). That is, implementing data units 150 having namesthat utilize all or part of the first search parameter may provide forthe physical location of data unit 150 to be determined with reducedmapping and/or search steps (i. e, functions).

Physical mapping apparatus 106 may also identify a data member 160 fromthe data stored within data unit 150 based at least in part on thesecond search parameter. In the exemplary embodiment, physical mappingapparatus 106 may identify member 160 corresponding to port 3. Datamember 160 (i.e., user data values in the row corresponding to port 3)may be output (i.e., transmitted) to the system operator. In such amanner, the system operator may retrieve the user data corresponding tothe subscriber. In at least one embodiment, the user parameters (e.g.,user data 1, user data 2, etc.) for each port may be stored in acompressed state and/or as a Binary Large Object (BLOB) to increaseefficiency and/or reduce data storage requirements.

In the exemplary two-tiered data system 300 of FIG. 3, a system operatormay retrieve data corresponding to a subscriber from among12,000,000,000 (i.e., 10,000*400*3000) potential data points. At logicalmapping apparatus 104, the system operator performs a search of tenthousand records corresponding to the total number of DSLAMs in system300. At physical mapping apparatus 106, the system operator performs asearch of four hundred records corresponding to the number of ports on aDSLAM. Accordingly, exemplary system 300 may provide increased dataretrieval rates, as compared with a conventional data storage systemrequiring a search of the entire 12,000,000,000 data points, byimplementing two or more searches on sub-sets of the 12,000,000,000 datapoints.

Furthermore, grouping data points into data units 150 may provide forupdating of a first data unit 150 with little or no affect on a searchbeing performed on a second data unit 150 and vice versa, may impededata corruption propagation, may provide increased data storage and/orretrieval efficiency in multi-processor machines, and/or may reduce theamount of modification required to add additional forms of data to thesystem. Similarly, compressing data points within a data unit 150 mayreduce the data storage requirement of system 300.

While the forgoing disclosure and FIGS. generally disclose a two-tiereddata system, it should be understood that additional tiers may beimplemented within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system 400 within which a set of instructions, when executed,may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein. In some embodiments, the machine operates as astandalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected(e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networked deployment,the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client usermachine in server-client user network environment, or as a peer machinein a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine maycomprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer(PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), a cellular telephone, a mobile device, a palmtop computer, alaptop computer, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant, acommunications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, acontrol system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a printer, apager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a network router,switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that machine. It will be understood that a device of the presentdisclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice,video or data communication. Further, while a single machine isillustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include anycollection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (ormultiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

Computer system 400 may include a processor 402 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both), amain memory 404 and a static memory 406, which communicate with eachother via a bus 408. Computer system 400 may further include a videodisplay unit 410 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). Computer system 400may include an input device 412 (e. g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 414 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 416, a signal generationdevice 418 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 420.

Disk drive unit 416 may include a machine-readable medium 422 on whichis stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 424)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated in herein above.Instructions 424 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within main memory 404, static memory 406, and/or within processor 402during execution thereof by computer system 400. Main memory 404 andprocessor 402 also may constitute machine-readable media. Dedicatedhardware implementations including, but not limited to, applicationspecific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and otherhardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 424, or that which receives and executes instructions 424from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 426 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over network 426 using instructions 424. Instructions 424may further be transmitted or received over a network 426 via networkinterface device 420.

While machine-readable medium 422 is shown in an example embodiment tobe a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be takento include a single medium or multiple media (e.g. a centralized ordistributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that storethe one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium”shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing,encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to:solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that housesone or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories,or other re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or opticalmedium such as a disk or tape; and carrier wave signals such as a signalembodying computer instructions in a transmission medium; and/or adigital file attachment to e-mail or other self-contained informationarchive or set of archives is considered a distribution mediumequivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the presentdisclosure is considered to include any one or more of amachine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present disclosure describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the present disclosure is not limited to such standardsand protocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packetswitched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP)represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards areperiodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards andprotocols having the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are merely representational andmay not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate embodiment.

1. A method comprising: receiving a telephone number corresponding to aunique pair of first and second parameters, wherein the first parametercorresponds to a device having a plurality of ports and the secondparameter corresponds to one of the ports of the device; determining theparameters using the telephone number; determining a physical locationin storage of a unit corresponding to the first parameter, wherein thestorage includes units respectively corresponding to different firstparameters with each unit respectively having a physical location in thestorage, wherein each unit has members respectively corresponding todifferent second parameters with each of the second parametersrespectively corresponding to a member of each unit; and identifying themember corresponding to the second parameter of the unit whichcorresponds to the first parameter.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein:the different first parameters respectively correspond to differentdevices each having a plurality of ports such that each unitrespectively corresponds to one of the devices.
 3. The method of claim 2wherein: each member of each unit includes data relating to an objectcoupled to one of the ports of the device which corresponds to the unit.4. The method of claim 3 wherein: each device is a Digital SubscriberLine Access Multiplexer.
 5. The method of claim 3 wherein: theidentified member includes data relating to the object coupled to theport corresponding to the second parameter of the device correspondingto the first parameter.
 6. The method of claim 2 wherein: each devicehas a unique name and each of the first parameters includes the uniquename of the device corresponding to the first parameter.
 7. The methodof claim 6 wherein: each unit has a unique name which includes theunique name of the device corresponding to the first parameter whichcorresponds to the unit.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein: the device isone of an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, an Asynchronous TransferMode Switch, and a DSL Access Multiplexer.
 9. The method of claim 1wherein: each first parameter resolves directly into the physicallocation of the corresponding unit.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein:determining the parameters using the telephone number includes using oneof a hash function and a table.
 11. A system comprising: a storagehaving units respectively corresponding to different first parameterswith each unit respectively having a physical location in the storage,wherein each unit has members respectively corresponding to differentsecond parameters with each of the second parameters respectivelycorresponding to a member of each unit, wherein the first parametersrespectively correspond to devices each having a plurality of ports andthe second parameters respectively correspond to the ports; a logicalmapping apparatus for determining a pair of first and second parameterswhich uniquely correspond to a telephone number; and a physical mappingapparatus for receiving the parameters from the logical mappingapparatus, determining a physical location in the storage of a unitcorresponding to the first parameter, and identifying the membercorresponding to the second parameter of the unit which corresponds tothe first parameter.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein: the differentfirst parameters respectively correspond to different devices eachhaving a plurality of ports such that each unit respectively correspondsto one of the devices.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein: each memberof each unit includes data relating to an object coupled to one of theports of the device which corresponds to the unit.
 14. The system ofclaim 13 wherein: each device is a Digital Subscriber Line AccessMultiplexer.
 15. The system of claim 13 wherein: the identified memberincludes data relating to the object coupled to the port correspondingto the second parameter of the device corresponding to the firstparameter.
 16. The system of claim 12 wherein: each device has a uniquename and each of the first parameters includes the unique name of thedevice corresponding to the first parameter; wherein each unit has aunique name which includes the unique name of the device correspondingto the first parameter which corresponds to the unit.
 17. The system ofclaim 11 wherein: the device is one of an Asymmetric Digital SubscriberLine, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode Switch, and a DSL AccessMultiplexer.
 18. The system of claim 11 wherein: each first parameterresolves directly into the physical location of the corresponding unit.19. The system of claim 11 wherein: the logical mapping apparatusdetermines the parameters using the telephone number includes using oneof a hash function and a table.
 20. A method comprising: receiving anidentifier corresponding to a unique pair of first and secondparameters, wherein the first parameter corresponds to a switch having aplurality of ports and the second parameter corresponds to one of theports of the switch; determining the parameters using the identifier;determining a physical location in storage of a unit corresponding tothe first parameter, wherein the storage includes units respectivelycorresponding to different first parameters with each unit respectivelyhaving a physical location in the storage, wherein each unit has membersrespectively corresponding to different second parameters with each ofthe second parameters respectively corresponding to a member of eachunit; and identifying the member corresponding to the second parameterof the unit which corresponds to the first parameter.